Carve out a spot on your bench, and in your library, for hockey's most comprehensive playbook.

Hockey Plays and Strategies presents all of the popular offensive, defensive, and special teams systems used in today's game, as well as tactical advice on making in-game adjustments and player match-ups at every level of play.

Veteran coaches Ryan Walter and Mike Johnston share more than 160 plays, systems, and strategies to control the ice and light up the net. In this one-of-a-kind guide, you'll learn these skills:

-Puck movement within the neutral zone to set up for attack zone entry and scoring chances on the rush

-Capitalizing on all odd-man rush scoring chances and shutting down the opposition's opportunities

-Executing lock-down defensive play in all zones to eliminate good scoring chances and shots on goal

-More than 25 power play systems for both the one-man and two-man advantage to keep the defense off balance and produce more scoring chances

-Penalty kill strategies that will stymie any attack and routinely clear the zone

-Controlling the puck and breaking up the opposition's play with aggressive forechecking and backchecking strategies

-Controlling the game with top-notch game management tips on line pairings and changes, key momentum changers, and many more in-game adjustments to keep your opponents on their heels throughout the gameWhether you're an experienced coach or taking the coaching reigns for the first time, Hockey Plays and Strategies will guide smart, consistent, and winning play.

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Product Description

Review

"In Hockey Plays and Strategies, Ryan Walter and Mike Johnston combine their coaching expertise to offer a comprehensive guidebook for today's fast-paced game. Their proven strategies are ideal for every player and coach."

George GwozdeckyHead Men's Hockey Coach, University of Denver

“In Hockey Plays and Strategies, Walter and Johnston cover every aspect of successful team play. This complete guide gives you the systems and strategies for an advantage at both ends of the ice.”

Pat QuinnHead Coach, Toronto Maple Leafs, 1998-2006

"Ryan Walter and Mike Johnston are a dynamic writing team who draw from years of playing, coaching, and leadership experience. In Hockey Plays and Strategies, they simplify the complexities of the game to assist coaches in building winning game plans."

Paul Carson Director of Development, Hockey Canada

About the Author

Ryan Walter is an assistant coach with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League. He played more than 1,000 games over 15 seasons with the Washington Capitals, Montreal Canadiens, and Vancouver Canucks. He served as vice president of the National Hockey League Players Association, was honored as the NHL Man of the Year in 1992, and played in the NHL all-star game in 1993. Walter has also served as captain of team Canada in the World Junior tournament and played for team Canada in four World Championships. He has worked as a consultant for several NHL teams and a television analyst for NHL broadcasts. Walter lives in British Columbia, Canada.

Mike Johnston is the head coach of the Portland Winter Hawks of the Western Hockey League. Johnston guided Canada to two World Junior Championships as an assistant coach and won three Spengler Cup gold medals as coach of the Canada Selects. He served in various capacities, including head coach and general manager, with Canada's gold medal–winning national team from 1994 to 1999. In five of the six seasons he coached the Vancouver Canucks, they finished with over 90 points, and on two occasions they surpassed the 100-point mark. In 2004, the Canucks won the Northwest Division Championship. In May 2007, Johnston again was selected to coach in the World Championships, and for the first time in 73 years Canada went undefeated (9-0) in winning gold. Johnston lives in Portland, Oregon.

After the 2013-2014 season, Mike Johnston was named head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins. For the six preceding seasons Johnston was the head coach of the Portland Winter Hawks of the Western Hockey League. He was assistant/associate coach of the Vancouver Canucks from 1999-2006 and associate coach of the Los Angeles Kings from 2006-08. Johnston guided Canada to two World Junior Championships as an assistant coach and won three Spengler Cup gold medals as coach of the Canada Selects. He served in various capacities, including head coach and general manager, with Canada's gold medal–winning national team from 1994 to 1999. In five of the six seasons he coached the Vancouver Canucks, they finished with over 90 points, and on two occasions they surpassed the 100-point mark. In 2004, the Canucks won the Northwest Division Championship. In May 2007, Johnston again was selected to coach in the World Championships, and for the first time in 73 years Canada went undefeated (9-0) in winning gold. Johnston lives in Portland, Oregon.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)

Amazon.com:
24 reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

Recommendation from Howtohockey.comNov. 11 2012

By
Jeremy
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback

My name is Jeremy, I run the hockey training blog howtohockey.com. I am always looking to expand my knowledge of the game of hockey and pass on what I know to the readers of my blog. This book was perfect to refresh some of the concepts I know and introduce a lot of new ones. I would recommend this book to every coach, and any player who wants to expand their knowledge of plays, strategy and positioning. The only problem is once you know this stuff you might get frustrated when your team mates are always in the wrong spot and making the wrong plays :)

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

Best hockey book availableSept. 17 2010

By
Anthony Holden
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback
Verified Purchase

I have to agree with the other 2 reviewers. I have read practically every hockey coaching/drill book and watched nearly every video out there, and this one is in a class all by itself. This book has plenty of diagrams, but also the detailed explanation that is lacking in drill books. Other books tell you how to run the drill. This book does that too, but also focuses on the subtler teaching points. This book explains what you are trying to do (e.g. having the second forward drive in hard splitting the defenders and isolating one to create a 2-on-1) and why it works. I wish I would have had this book 10 years ago.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

Nothing else like itJuly 25 2010

By
Kartboy16
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Kindle Edition

For years I have been searching for a book that goes beyond simple charts; arrows directing players without much explanation on why? Most books will describe the general concept of the play but provide little insight for each individual position. Being a right winger, I always found myself asking how would I read the play and choose the right course of action; read and react. Hockey plays and strategies is the first book I have found that effectively combines play diagrams with reading and reacting for each individual position. As a beer leaguer, I just wanted a book that could help me understand the subtle nuances of the game so I am grateful that Ryan Walter and mike johnstone decided to write this book and hope that there will be more in the future.

Another great book for technique is power skating by Laura stamm...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

Great bookMarch 13 2013

By
txtacco
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback
Verified Purchase

I've been having my Pee Wee hockey playing son read a chapter every week before his game and saw an immediate improvement after one chapter. He's a defenseman and his current coach doesn't spend enough time teaching tactics and strategy. He now teaching his teammates the techniques he's picked up from the book. The book has a nice combination of text and diagrams, so even if their comprehension or attention span is limited, the pictures reinforce and simplify the verbiage.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

Required ReadingMay 5 2013

By
George B.
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Paperback
Verified Purchase

I play adult hockey, but played as a kid so had an idea about the basics. However, if you want to get a better grasp of the game even if its just to understand whats happening in the NHL on tv then buy this book. My game has improved and am having more fun than ever.